Ep 13. Crispy Favorites

In episode 13 of season 6 of Lidia's Kitchen, titled "Crispy Favorites", Lidia Bastianich shares some of her favorite recipes that feature crispy textures. The episode begins with Lidia preparing breaded chicken cutlets, which are first dipped in a seasoned egg wash, then covered in a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese before being pan-fried until golden and crispy. She serves the cutlets with a simple tomato sauce and a side dish of sautéed spinach.

Next, Lidia moves on to making roasted vegetable chips, using an array of colorful vegetables such as beets, carrots, and parsnips. She thinly slices the vegetables using a mandoline, tosses them with olive oil and seasonings, then bakes them in the oven until they are crisp and crunchy.

For her third dish, Lidia makes a savory potato and onion pie, which features a crisp crust made from mashed potatoes mixed with eggs and flour. The filling is made with sautéed onions and pancetta, which are layered on top of the potato crust before being baked until golden brown.

Lidia's next recipe is for fried polenta, which she serves with a rich tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. She starts by making a polenta mixture with cornmeal, water, and Parmesan cheese, which is then chilled until firm. The polenta is sliced into wedges, dredged in flour, and fried until crispy and golden brown.

Finally, Lidia makes a classic Italian dessert - cannoli. She shows viewers how to make crispy cannoli shells from scratch, using a combination of flour, sugar, white wine, and butter. The shells are then filled with a creamy ricotta filling flavored with orange zest and chocolate chips.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares tips and tricks for achieving the perfect crispy texture in each dish, from using panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch, to patting dry vegetables before roasting to ensure maximum crispiness. As always, Lidia's warm personality and passion for cooking shine through as she shares her love of Italian cuisine with viewers.